Give Your Breakfast Yogurt Tangy Flair With A Drizzle Of This Vinegar

On groggy-eyed mornings when pancakes and omelets feel like too much effort, yogurt can be a real lifesaver. Before the caffeine even has a chance to kick in, its light, tangy coolness makes those harsh early hours much more comforting. As you load it up with fruits, nuts, and cereals, you gradually create a breakfast that does everything it's supposed to — except bringing some excitement, that is. Regardless of the other ingredients, it's usually the same monotony over and over again. That is, until you add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, which is when the real fun begins.

The flavor pivot between plain yogurt and one laced with balsamic vinegar is the best kind of change. The vinegar's acidity and fruity depth weave themselves into the mildly tangy base. Often hidden in the undertone, the yogurt's sweetness is also highlighted by that very contrasting complexity. What was once one-note and overly familiar suddenly becomes intricately refined in a way that you don't typically get. Yogurt has always been a staple of the American breakfast, but with balsamic vinegar, you might have just cracked the code to truly making a meal out of it.

Just like other unique ways to use balsamic vinegar, a little goes a long way in this case. Use just enough vinegar to make an impact without drowning out the taste of the yogurt entirely. For about 1 cup of yogurt, a couple of tablespoons should do the trick. Drizzle it over the bowl like you would with honey, and enjoy. Alternatively, you can marinate fruits in the vinegar before topping the yogurt with them. The vinegar will draw out the fruit's juicy sweetness, creating a syrup that greatly enhances the overall flavor profile.

Unconventional as it may sound, you can also whisk equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar together for a uniquely tangy, earthy sauce. This makes for an intriguing flavor combination gateway, where you pair up different fruit-infused versions of these condiments for a kaleidoscope of flavors in your bowl. Don't underestimate the power of flavored balsamic and the right ingredient pairings either. Fig-infused balsamic vinegar, for example, is simply divine when matched with blood orange olive oil and fresh figs.

If you've already got yogurt, fruits, cereal, and toasted nuts on hand, what's stopping you from putting together a quick parfait? Simply layer these ingredients, each with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and have dessert for breakfast. From that point on, you can try any kind of toppings that speak to your palate. Berries are a classic pairing with balsamic, but you could love mango and citrus fruits just as much with it. Add a matching jam or marmalade, or even a sprig of fresh herbs, and you've got the most exquisite start to the day.